Avalanche Eye Presidents’ Trophy As Flames Visit Denver
Colorado needs just two points to lock up the NHL’s top overall seed as Calgary plays spoiler.
The Colorado Avalanche have already locked up the top seed in the Western Conference, leaving just one box left to check before the postseason begins: securing the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage all the way through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’re within striking distance, too. Just two more points over their final five games would seal it, and their first opportunity comes Thursday night against the Calgary Flames on home ice.
Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) punched its ticket to the top of the conference with a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. It’s been a long time coming—the Avalanche have held the NHL’s best record since Dec.
1—and the only team still within reach is the Carolina Hurricanes, who sit six points back with four games remaining. Colorado also holds the edge in the season series, going 1-0-1. “We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said after the win in St.
Louis. “That's a big step. We know it doesn't mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.